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Jordan Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Prime minister urges religious institutions to promote values of inclusion, balance
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Tuesday pays a visit to the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs (Petra photo) AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Tuesday reiterated Jordan's steadfast position, under Hashemite leadership and through its people, as a beacon of moderation, tolerance and balance. During a visit to the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, the prime minister underscored the ministry's pivotal role in advancing these values, which he described as 'the essence of our Islamic faith and a fundamental part of our national identity that rejects extremism, fanaticism, isolation, and exclusion.' In a briefing on preparations for the upcoming Hajj season, Hassan emphasised the importance of instilling such principles in future generations, according to a Prime Ministry statement. 'Our children must grow up with faith in Allah, devotion to our religion, love for the homeland, and respect for others. These values should be expressed through meaningful actions and a way of life rooted in belief in God, loyalty to His Majesty the King, and a strong sense of national belonging,' he said. The prime minister also commended the Ministry's efforts in managing mosques, Qur'an memorisation centres, Islamic endowments, religious guidance, and social protection initiatives. He also applauded its role in safeguarding Al Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock, and the entire Al Haram Al Sharif compound through the Jerusalem Awqaf Department, under the Hashemite custodianship. 'We are facing grave challenges from Israeli extremism and the escalating violations in Jerusalem,' he said, affirming Jordan's frontline role in defending the city against attempts to Judaise it and erase its Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity. 'This is our historical responsibility under the Hashemite custodianship and the duty of every member of the Jerusalem Awqaf Department who confronts aggression at Al Haram Al Sharif,' he added. The Premier also extended deep appreciation to the employees of the Jerusalem Awqaf Department for their dedication to Al Aqsa Mosque and other Islamic holy sites. He noted that their efforts reflect Jordan's broader role, led by His Majesty King Abdullah, in preserving Jerusalem's Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity and in supporting Palestinian resilience. Regarding charitable initiatives, Hassan said Jordan continues to serve as a model of national solidarity and unity, with ample avenues for giving, including support for the elderly, orphans, and the development of educational, healthcare, and social institutions. He also highlighted the significant grassroots contributions by citizens to community service and the establishment of educational and social infrastructure across the country. Turning to national development, the prime minister reiterated the importance of the Comprehensive Modernisation Vision, which seeks to enhance the state's economic, political, administrative, and social capacities. 'All state institutions are obligated to work toward implementing this national project. We are all partners in this effort, and its success depends on the strength of our society and its institutions,' he said. Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Khalayleh announced that Jordanian pilgrims will begin departing for the holy sites on May 23. He affirmed the Ministry's full commitment to ensuring pilgrims receive the necessary support and care to perform their religious rituals with ease, from their departure from the Kingdom until their return.
Jordan News
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
After Performing the "Epic Prostration"... Jordan Condemns Israeli Knesset Members' Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque
The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif by members of the Israeli Knesset. This coincided with provocative acts carried out by extremists during such incursions, which occur under the protection of Israeli occupation forces. The ministry described the incident as an unacceptable and dangerous escalation, a blatant provocation, and a violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the historical and legal status quo. اضافة اعلان The official spokesperson of the ministry, Ambassador Dr. Sufyan Qudah, reaffirmed Jordan's absolute rejection and strong condemnation of repeated incursions by Israeli Knesset members and large numbers of extremists into Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif. He emphasized that such actions fuel tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories, violate Israel's obligations as the occupying power in Jerusalem, and represent an attempt to impose temporal and spatial division of the holy site. He stressed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites. Ambassador Qudah called on the international community to take a firm stance to compel Israel, as the occupying power, to cease its continuous and illegal violations of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, as well as its repeated desecration of sacred places. He also reiterated that Al-Aqsa Mosque, in its entirety—covering 144 dunams—is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, and that the Jerusalem Awqaf Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the sole legal authority with exclusive jurisdiction to manage the affairs of Al-Haram Al-Sharif and regulate access to it. Earlier on Thursday, a far-right member of the Israeli Knesset stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque accompanied by thousands of settlers and performed what is referred to as the 'epic prostration'—a full-body gesture toward the Dome of the Rock. His actions were later welcomed by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. The Palestinian Governorate of Jerusalem said in a statement that thousands of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque and Bab al-Rahma Cemetery on the fifth day of the Jewish Passover holiday, which began on Sunday and lasts for a week. The statement noted that the extremist Knesset member from the Religious Zionism party, Tzvi Sukkot, performed the 'epic prostration'—a full-body laying down gesture—toward the Dome of the Rock within Al-Aqsa Mosque. It added that thousands of settlers also entered the Western Wall Plaza (Al-Buraq Wall), located west of Al-Aqsa, to perform the so-called Priestly Blessing ritual on the fifth day of Passover.
